BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Evening Star, Issue 19892, 14 June 1928, Page 16

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

ITS RESTORATION DEMANDED [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, Juno 13. Tho Rev. E. 0. Blamires, organising secretary of tho New Zealand Biblo-in-Schools League, with Mr 11. Holland, MP for Christchurch North, sponsor of the Bill in the-House of Representatives, addressed a largely-attended public meeting hero to-night at winch a resolution was unanimously carried condemning the present system ol education for its entire sccularity, and demanding from Parliament tho restoration of the Bible to tho primary schools. Interviewed on the question, they stated that tho meetings being held this month throughout New Zealand were clear evidence of the popular feeling in favour of the Bible in schools. No stone would be left unturned to show that the existing secular,system was out of date, and out of harmony with the principles of education. Referring to the Nelson system, they stated that the league wonnlcl not accept it as in any way adequate, ft was impossible to find voluntary workers sufficient to work the Nelson system as a dominion-wide scheme, and It ■was merely a scheme in use outside proper school time on onG_ day in the week. It was a makeshift under a system that was entirely secular. None of the heads of the Department of Education viewed it as preferable to the religions exercises proposed at the opening of the school day, thus bringing tho primary schools into line with I lie secondary schools. At tho conclusion ol to-night’s meeting the Rev. C. J. locker, a Presbyterian minister, strongly denounced the treatment of the Bill in Parliament, lie expressed resentment that such a groat cause should be given less than honest treatment in the manner in which the, Biblc-in-Schonis Hill had been given.